Easy One Pan Dinners for Busy Weeknights

These easy one pan dinners are what I make on the nights when everyone is hungry, the calendar is full and the last thing I want is a sink full of dishes. Every recipe here cooks in one skillet, one pot or one sheet pan, uses budget-friendly ingredients and gets dinner on the table without a lot of fuss.

Why One Pan Dinners Save My Weeknights

I didn't know how to cook when I got married, and the recipes that taught me the most were the simple ones. One pan dinners were my training wheels: fewer steps, fewer dishes and less that can go wrong. Years later, with a busy family and an even busier calendar, they are still the recipes I reach for most.

Here is something a little different about our family: we eat dinner between 4 and 5 p.m. It is the one window when the most of us can be around the same table before everyone heads off to sports, after-school activities or work functions. That time is sacred to me, so I keep easy dinners on rotation that I can get on the table fast, and these one pan dinners are definitely some of them.

Easy One Pan Dinners on Our Rotation

1

Aleppo Pepper Chicken and Potatoes

Smoky Aleppo pepper chicken and potatoes baked together in one pot for an easy Mediterranean dinner.

Check out this recipe

2

Greek Chicken Meatballs with Rice Pilaf

Greek chicken meatballs cooked right on top of fluffy rice pilaf, all in one pot.

Check out this recipe

3

Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Garlic butter steak bites seared in cast iron and ready in minutes.

Check out this recipe

4

Cast Iron Chicken Piccata

Lemony, buttery chicken piccata made rustic and simple in a cast iron skillet.

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5

One Pan Chicken, Rice, and Green Beans

Chicken, rice and green beans cooked together in one pan. A complete dinner with almost no cleanup.

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6

15-Minute Cast Iron Steak and Vegetable Stir-Fry

A 15-minute cast iron steak and vegetable stir fry that beats takeout on a busy night.

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7

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta made in one pan for an easy comfort food dinner.

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8

Sheet Pan Chicken and Broccoli

Sheet pan chicken and broccoli with simple seasoning. The kind of dinner you can make with your eyes closed.

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9

One Pan Chicken Thighs and Veggies

Juicy chicken thighs and colorful veggies roasted together on one pan. Dinner and cleanup are both easy.

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10

One Pan Honey Dijon Chicken and Potatoes

Honey dijon chicken roasted with potatoes until golden and crispy at the edges.

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11

One Pan Chicken Alfredo

Rich, creamy chicken alfredo with the pasta cooked right in the sauce. No extra pot of boiling water.

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12

Creamy One Pot Chicken

Tender chicken in a creamy sauce, all made in a single pot. A family favorite that tastes like you worked much harder than you did.

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Tips for Better One Pan Dinners

• Cut everything the same size. Even pieces cook at the same time, so nothing ends up raw or mushy.
• Do not crowd the pan. Crowded food steams instead of browning. Use a bigger pan or two sheet pans if you need to.
• Use a heavy pan. Cast iron or a heavy skillet holds heat and gives you a better sear.
• Start with the protein. Brown the meat first, then add vegetables that cook faster.
• Prep ahead. Chop vegetables and mix sauces in the morning so dinner comes together in minutes.

One Pan Dinners FAQ

What is a one pan dinner?
A one pan dinner is a complete meal, usually a protein, vegetables and sometimes a starch, cooked in a single skillet, pot or sheet pan.

What is the best pan for one pan dinners?
A large cast iron skillet or a heavy oven-safe skillet works for most recipes. For sheet pan dinners, use a large rimmed baking sheet.

How do I keep chicken juicy in a one pan dinner?
Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts, and pulling the chicken as soon as it reaches 165 degrees F keeps it from drying out.

Can I make one pan dinners ahead of time?
Yes. Most of these reheat well for lunches, and you can prep the vegetables and sauces a day ahead.

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